Delphinium requienii

REQUIN’S BEE DELPHINIUM

Delphinium requienii
REQUIN’S BEE DELPHINIUM

Delphinium requienii is very different and very appealing.

Plump, fuzzy Bumblebees of flowers

Firstly the flowers are very different to those of a normal Delphinium.
Because each flower is shaped and marked rather like a plump, fuzzy Bumblebee.
And they even look as if a bee is sitting in the centre of each blossom – rather like a dainty Bee Orchid.
The blooms seem to fool bees of all persuasions. As native bees, honey bees and lots of other pollinating insects flock to the blooms for nectar and pollen.

Hot & dry hardy

Secondly, this is a species Delphinium, as seen in the wild in Sardinia and Corsica.
So with a pedigree like that, no wonder it is perfectly happy in hotter climates here in Australia.
And well able thrive in limited water conditions and hot summers.
Plus it is naturally able to make a home in rocky, gravel and sandy soils.
Delphinium requienii is certainly no ordinary delphinium, and certainly no namby-pamby cosseted hybrid.

Pink & violet battalions of bees

Flower colouring is also lovely in Delphinium requienii.
With blends of soft violet, creamy pinks and smoky blues surrounding the dark bee marking in the centre of each bloom.

Showy towers of bloom

Flowers are widely spaced, in large airy towers, and with plenty of side-shoots.
So although each flower is only Bumblebee size, the overall effect is very showy.
With an established plant producing hundreds, and even thousands of individual flowers in it’s towers of bloom, it catches all eyes.

Heat & snail resistant foliage

Even the leaves of Delphinium requienii are different.
They are glossy and leathery, so perfectly adapted for reflecting heat.
And helleluja!!! Slugs and snails are not attracted!

Rabbit & deer resistant 

While it would be rash to say rabbits or deer would never eat a particular plant – it is highly unlikely they would ever develop a taste for Delphinium requienii.

Suitable for coastal gardeners

Delphinium requienii enjoys well drained soils, and is accustomed to gravel and rocky soils in it’s native habitat, as well as cliffs and seaside locations.
So it is ideal for coastal gardeners.

Quick & easy from seed

Seeds sown in autumn, winter or early spring will be flowering during summer.

Self sowing

Delphinium requienii perpetuates itself each year by self-sowing new baby seedlings in the garden.
So once you establish your colony in the garden, it will be self perpetuating.

Self-sowing short lived perennial or biennial.
1m. flower towers x 50cm. clumps of shiny and decorative foliage.

SEED SOWING ADVICE: QUICK & EASY

Sow Delphinium seeds in autumn, winter or spring.

INDOORS:
Delphinium requienii is one of the quickest and easiest of all Delphiniuns to germinate.
So it is often raised very successfully without any pre-chilling.

But if you wish to get away to a flying start.
First place the seeds between two sheets of wet paper towel in a sealed plastic bag, and place in fridge for 36 hours.

Then remove, and sow the seeds in punnets on surface of good quality seed raising mix.
Now cover with 5mm of sieved mix or sandy grit.

And thoroughly moisten the whole punnet by standing in a shallow water bath, and allowing the moisture to percolate up to the surface of the mix from below.

Now place the moist, sown punnet in a warm, well-lit position (not in direct sunlight).

Temperatures of 18-21°C approx. are ideal for rapid and optimum germination.

And continue to keep moist by misting from a spray water bottle as required.

Most seedlings emerge in approx. 10-20 days.

But do not discard punnet as some seeds may come later. This is a natural process for this plant because it staggers the germination of it’s seeds to give them a better chance of sprouting into favourable weather conditions.

SEED COUNT:  5 seeds per pack approx.
(This delightful Delphinium is not commonly available in Australia, and seed is limited this year).

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